The Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time, Ranked by Fan Votes

Movie Jump Scares

You lean forward. The soundtrack disappears. Every part of your brain screams that something is about to happen—and somehow the movie still gets you.

These are the scares that sent popcorn flying, caused permanent trust issues with dark hallways, and made fully grown adults pretend they “just sneezed.” Some attack with a face. Some wait forever. Some barely move at all. The only rule is that the moment has to hit like a trapdoor opening under your seat.

Was the diner figure worse than the lawnmower tape? Did the red-faced demon get you harder than “I saw her face”? Stop acting brave. Start voting.

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All Time ranks by all-time win rate across every head-to-head battle. Latest ranks by latest fan sentiment, updated as new battles are voted on.

1. BEN GARDNER'S HEAD — JAWS

74.7% win rate

#1 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

2. CRYSTAL LAKE — FRIDAY THE 13TH

69.1% win rate

#2 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

3. RED DEMON — INSIDIOUS

56.1% win rate

#3 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

4. CLOSET SCENE — THE RING

53.7% win rate

#4 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

5. BEDROOM CLAP — THE CONJURING

47.2% win rate

#5 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

6. BIRTHDAY PARTY SCENE - SIGNS

41.7% win rate

#6 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

7. LAWNMOWER TAPE — SINISTER

40.8% win rate

#7 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

8. ZELDA REVEAL — PET SEMATARY

39.6% win rate

#8 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

9. HOSPITAL HALLWAY — THE EXORCIST III

35.2% win rate

#9 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

10. DINER FIGURE — MULHOLLAND DRIVE

34.9% win rate

#10 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time

11. TALL MAN APPEARS — IT FOLLOWS

34.0% win rate

#11 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time